Nigrum Pullum, Roman castellum archaeological site in Zwammerdam, Netherlands
Nigrum Pullum is a Roman castellum, an archaeological site near Zwammerdam in the Netherlands. The fort measured about 85 by 140 meters and featured four stone gateway buildings made of tuff stone positioned near the Rhine riverbank.
The original wooden fort at this location was built in 47 AD but had a short existence. It was destroyed during the Batavian Revolt between 69 and 70 AD.
Pottery with inscriptions found at the site shows that Celtic and Germanic people lived here alongside Roman soldiers. This blend of different groups is visible in the objects that archaeologists uncovered during their work.
The site can only be fully experienced through aerial views or museum displays today, as the remains are buried underground. The archaeological work conducted between 1968 and 1974 documented the entire fort layout and portions of the surrounding civilian settlement, but visitors will not find much to see on the ground.
This fort is the smallest Roman military fort in the Netherlands, puzzling archaeologists since it was supposed to house 500 soldiers. The precise function and capacity of the installation based on its actual size remain unexplained.
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